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1
Get the ingredients together.
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2
Take the butter out of the fridge 30 mins before making the cake so it has time to soften
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3
Beat the eggs - don't just give them a half-hearted stir with a fork.
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4
Well beaten eggs seem to make the sponge lighter.
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5
Put the sugar and butter in the mixer and make a cream
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6
Add some egg...
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7
Add some of the flour, cocoa and baking powder with the mixer on medium speed.
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8
Keep adding egg and flour alternately until both have been used up.
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9
Turn to a higher speed and mix for a minute or so
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10
Pour the mixture into a lined baking pan (better to use greaseproof paper but I didn't have any) or a lightly greased non-stick one
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11
Put in the pre-heated oven at 170 for 40 minutes.
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12
Take out and pierce with a fork.
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13
If the prongs come out clean the cake is done.
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14
If they don't then leave for another couple of minutes
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15
Empty onto a rack and leave to cool
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16
When the cake is cool, put the icing sugar and cocoa into a bowl
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17
Melt the butter over a low heat, make a hole on the icing sugar and add the melted butter
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18
Stir to make the fudge icing
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19
If it is too thick to spread then add a tiny dash of milk but go carefully - just a few drops make a big difference
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20
Put the icing on the cake
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21
Put a wide knife under very hot tap water and spread the icing
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22
Decorate with smarties and, when the moment comes
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23
.... with candles!!
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24
Sing loudly, make a wish (the birthday person) while making the first cut and enjoy!!
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25
!
